Bixby City Council Addresses City's Drainage Issues

In Bixby, when it rains, it often floods, and while it's a problem that's plagued the community for years, the city is getting closer to fixing its drainage issues.

The city council met Monday night and the council has drainage system improvements at the top of the agenda. 

Also being moved to the top of the list is discussion surrounding a new housing development. 

Last year, voters approved 975k dollars in bond money for drainage improvements. 

The city is looking to take that money and improve drainage in Pecan Park, John's Park and Southtown. 

The main problem area is Pecan Park.

The current conceptual design for drainage improvements would create a system of storm drains and ponds to intercept the water and divert it.

However, if the city and housing developers can come to an agreement the developers would tack on an additional million dollars that would go toward making draining improvements to the proposed development area of 161st and Memorial.

Bumping the money available to make improvements from $975,000 in bond money to $1.9 million.

"This is a great opportunity for us to have a really great extended scope of work for the three areas we have identified," said Jared Cottle, Bixby City Manager. 

City leaders say if the housing development doesn't go through the bond money will still go toward making drainage improvements, it just won't be on as large of a scale.

They expect residents to see changes by the end of the year.